Teeth become darker with age, but apart from age, many other factors can affect that process. Whitening means to change the shade of tooth caused by smoking, eating colored food and beverages, plaque and calculus, teeth devitalization, use of medicines, etc. Teeth whitening is the fastest solution for white teeth, and with proper oral hygiene the results can last up to 2 years.
It is a completely non-invasive, safe and painless method of correcting the teeth color using tested professional preparations. They do not damage the tooth enamel and after the treatment the natural color and teeth glow come to the fullest. Usually we whiten the frontal region, i.e. the visible part of the smile.
Whitening usually removes the following colorations:
- Stains and color change caused by smoking
- Coloration occuring due to use of certain medicines
- Dark shades from colored food and drinks
- Yellowness of teeth caused by plaque and lime deposits
- Greyish shade caused by devitalization of the teeth and similar.
Teeth whitening procedure
First of all, it should be noted that there is professional teeth whitening in the dental office, and home whitening, where the dentist instructs the patient how to carry on the procedure. In both procedures, whitening is performed using a gel applied to the teeth surface.
The teeth whitening gel contains a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide, which is higher in a professional whitening gel.
It is important to know that dental fillings, ceramic veneers and dental crowns cannot be whitened, but natural teeth can become up to 8 shades whiter. Take into account that teeth with caries may not be whitened. Before teeth whitening such teeth must be treated.
Tooth whitening does not mean scratching the enamel
Did you know that the blend of baking soda, vinegar or lemon juice, a commonly used home-made teeth whitening recipe, actually damages the enamel? It is recommended that you do not use these methods to achieve whiteness of your teeth frequently.
Toothpaste with whitening properties should also not be used frequently. Fortunately, manufacturers warn about in on the product packaging: to avoid damage to the enamel, it is enough to follow the instructions for use.
The difference between these methods and teeth whitening gel in principle is their action. These home whitening methods remove the external dirty physical layer from tooth, but take away the part of the enamel. On the other hand, the whitening gel stimulates the whitening of the inside: driven by the chemical process, the tooth creates an extra white pigment and becomes whiter.
Whiten up to 8 shades of teeth.
Your teeth do not have to be yellow and darkened.
Come to a free professional consultations we will advise how to make your smile sparkling again. If you have questions call us at – 00385 1 5515 300 – or send an inquiry.
Professional teeth whitening
Before applying the gel, it is necessary to clean the hard and soft deposits, especially plaque and calculus from the teeth. Then your teeth need to be well polished. After that, the dentist will protect dental flesh to avoid contact with the teeth whitening gel. After that, the gel is applied.
The gel is applied twice in duration of 20 minutes, and the whole process with teeth preparation and polishing of takes about an hour.
Tooth whitening at home
At the Videntis Dental Center, we also offer a tooth whitening gel at home. Since patients need to apply the tooth gel by themselves, we will make a personalized tooth splint to apply the gel.
The first step in this procedure is therefore the arrival of the patient in the clinic in order to take an impression for the splint. Once the dental care is completed, the patient should apply the gel and wear the splint during night-time sleep.
Since the home-based teeth whitening gel has a weaker concentration than the one for professional whitening, the treatment takes longer: the patient needs to wear the splint every night for 1-3 weeks.
Transient side effects of teeth whitening
After teeth whitening, a temporary hypersensitivity to warm or cold, irritation of gingiva and soft tissue may occur. However, using new techniques and materials such side effects are minimized and disappear after a few days.
Reasons for teeth whitening:
- A prettier smile after the 1 visit to the dentist
- Up to 8 shades of whiter smile
- Whitening effect lasts up to 2 years
- Does not damage the enamel
Do you have a problem or just want to gather more information?
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Our friendly staff will answer all your questions.